{"id":4488,"date":"2016-09-09T20:17:20","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T20:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/box5917.temp.domains\/~iriacom\/\/news\/?p=4488"},"modified":"2016-09-09T20:27:09","modified_gmt":"2016-09-09T20:27:09","slug":"nato-eu-officials-visit-turkey-for-first-time-since-foiled-coup-to-improve-ties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/nato-eu-officials-visit-turkey-for-first-time-since-foiled-coup-to-improve-ties\/","title":{"rendered":"NATO, EU officials visit Turkey for first time since foiled coup to improve ties"},"content":{"rendered":"

European officials visit Turkey for the first time since the attempted coup to reassure their ally that they would continue their partnership. NATO\u00a0welcomes Turkey’s increased fight against Islamic State<\/strong><\/p>\n

Marking his first visit to Ankara to show solidarity with Turkey since the attempted coup in July 2016,\u00a0NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg supported Turkey’s efforts against Daesh and that Ankara is entitled to defend itself.<\/p>\n

“We welcome Turkey’s increasing efforts to fight against Daesh. Turkey has a right to defend itself. There have been many terrorist attacks coming from the Syrian side,” Stoltenberg told broadcaster NTV.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>He stated that “We must train local forces in Syria to fight terrorism and ensure stability in the county.”<\/p>\n

NATO Secretary General visited Ankara from 8-9 September 2016 and met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan to discuss Turkey\u2019s contributions to the Alliance’s shared security \u2013 including in Afghanistan, in the fight against ISIS, and in NATO\u2019s efforts to stop human trafficking in the Aegean Sea.<\/p>\n

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg assured Turkey of the bloc’s suppor<\/span>t<\/a>, saying, “Turkey is a strong and highly esteemed member of the NATO, and will continue to remain so…If the coup had been successful, it would have been catastrophic not only for Turkey, but also for the entire alliance.”<\/p>\n

The Secretary General also reiterated NATO\u2019s condemnation of the recent coup attempt, expressing condolences for those who lost their lives, and respect for the courage of the Turkish people. \u201cAny attack on democracy, in any of our countries, is an attack on the very foundation of our Alliance. A strong and democratic Turkey is essential for the stability and security of Europe and the region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Substantive meeting w\/ @RT_Erdogan<\/a>. #NATO<\/a> stands in solidarity with Turkey, its people and democracy. pic.twitter.com\/eUzcLcuAoF<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 8, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n